Which molecule carries energized electrons to drive carbohydrate synthesis in photosynthesis?

Which molecule carries energized electrons to drive carbohydrate synthesis in photosynthesis?

• A. NADPH
• B. ATP
• C. NADP+
• D. ADP

Answer: (A)

NADPH carries energized electrons to drive carbohydrate synthesis in photosynthesis. During the light reactions, NADP+ accepts electrons and a proton to become NADPH, storing the energetic electrons that will be donated to the Calvin cycle. In the Calvin cycle, NADPH provides the reducing power needed to convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrate molecules, helping to build sugars. While ATP supplies the energy required for these steps, it does not carry electrons. NADP+ remains the oxidized form that waits to receive electrons, and ADP is simply the recycled form after ATP is used. So the molecule delivering the energized electrons is NADPH.

NADPH carries energized electrons to drive carbohydrate synthesis in photosynthesis. During the light reactions, NADP+ accepts electrons and a proton to become NADPH, storing the energetic electrons that will be donated to the Calvin cycle. In the Calvin cycle, NADPH provides the reducing power needed to convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrate molecules, helping to build sugars. While ATP supplies the energy required for these steps, it does not carry electrons. NADP+ remains the oxidized form that waits to receive electrons, and ADP is simply the recycled form after ATP is used. So the molecule delivering the energized electrons is NADPH.